Kelowna Candidate Matcher
- Responses from Charlie Hodge
| 1. Do support the current rabbit cull program? | No | This scenario should have been given to TRACS to deal with humanely as possible. This is a human created tragedy which we can learn from and not continue. Council must establish a bylaw that does not allow any pet store to sell rabbits that have not been neutered or spade - or withold a business licence. |
| 2. Would you give final approval to the CD21 downtown redevelopment zone currently before council? | No | I like a lot of it but no. We need to look at the downtown from an overall perspective before finalizing this plan. I do not want a 19 or 20 storey building on the Royal Trust site. Great building wrong spot. Lets keep the open air, green spaces and waterfront as a world class showpiece and enhance that. Our waterfront is part of what makes us Kelowna. I like the step back approach to downtown highrises. |
| 3. Do you think the City should limit the height of highrises? | Depends | On where and design. Also human and environmental safety are huge factors, including building materials and the impact on thermol heating. Sight lines must be considered. Also we are woefully short of firmen to properly assist with fires at highrises. |
| 4. All other things equal, if you were forced to make a decision that favours neighbours or a developer, which would you choose? | Neighbours | |
| 5. Would you support an increase in Development Cost Charges to reduce the taxpayers' contributions to covering the costs of new development? | Depends | That would be one of the first options I would look at. |
| 6. Are you accepting developer contributions for your campaign? | No | |
| 7. Do you support the use of the alternative approval process such as was used with the Mission Aquatic Centre? | Depends | |
| 8. Should non-Kelowna rate payers be charged extra user fees for using City amenities such as the future aquatic centre? | Depends | Yes, however I would refer to it as a residential discount instead. |
| 9. In general, do you think the City of Kelowna should | maintain current service and taxation levels | There are a couple of services that need immediate improvement (transportation and hiring more fire men) but I would prefer to look at possible cuts elsewhere to augment the changes. |
| 10. Have rural / agriculture lands been adequately conserved within the City? | No | |
| 11. Do you think big box retailers are a net positive or net negative for the community? | neutral | |
| 12. With regard to the Official Community Plan, do you think past councils have: | struck the right balance | An OCP needs strong guidelines but should also be a living, breathing document that can change and grow with the community. However, it should not be abused or manipulated. |
| 13. Do you think local government should subsidize affordable housing? | Depends | |
| 14. With regard to in-camera (not open to public) council meetings, do you think Kelowna council has: | struck the right balance | Having been on a city council in the past I understand the need for 'in-camera' and like to thhnk that it has not been abused. I believe there are one or two individuals on council who would have made loud noises if such was the case. |
| 15. Do you support the City temporarily closing public spaces for large private for profit events such as concerts or sporting events? | No | |
| 16. Do you support the sinking of the old floating bridge pontoons in Okanagan Lake? | No | |
| 17. Would you be willing to increase taxes to support more road infrastructure? | Depends | We are in for some very tough fiscal times in the next couple years. I believe we need to look past just standard fosil fuel travel for the future,and start planning for that. However there are some roads that are in dire need of work. |
| 18. Over the last three years, do you think that Council has made decisions that treat all neighbourhoods fairly/equally? | No | |
| 19. Would you vote to ban plastic shopping bags? | Yes | |
| 20. Would you support the Kelowna's amalgamation with boundary communities such as Ellison and Joe Rich? | Depends | |
| 21. Which party did you support in the recent Federal election? | Green | The outcome was a forgone conclusion and I felt Green and Angela needed support and encouragement. I like Ron Cannan as well but I'm not happy with Harper. |
Open Ended Questions (Optional) | ||
| 22. The 2008 Citizen Survey ranked the city poorly on conducting business open and fairly as well as being responsive to citizen needs. What would you do to change this? | More public involvement and input. Get out and meet with the public more in forums and public gatherings, liasons, advisory committees. | |
| 23. The 2008 Citizen Survey identified weaknesses in transit, roads, and senior services, bylaw and police. What would you do to address this? | See above. I would also restructure how council interacts with the public including assigned portfolios placing councilors on the front lines with direct communication with firemen, police, business, the arts, tourism,.... | |
| 24. What is the greatest problem facing Kelowna and what would be your approach? | Restoring the public's trust and confidence in city hall. Hard dedicated work. | |
| 25. Open ended comment section | Check out my website at charliehodge.ca It's not fancy but it works. Or call me at home and talk 250-979-7254. | |
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